Improvement in combined shoulder-brace and suspenders



N. VAN ALLEN Combined Shoulder Brace and Suspenders.

No. 203,301. Patented May 7,1878.

' bined is made in two UNITED STATES PATENT LOFFIGE.

NOAH VAN ALLEN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN COMBINED SHOULDER-BRACE AND SUSPENDERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No- 203,30l, dated May 7, 187 8; application filed August 11. 1877.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, NOAH VAN ALLEN, of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Gom- Shoulder Brace and Suspenders, of which the following is a specification: k

Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved device. Figs. 2 and 3 are views of the same, illustrating its use.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts. I

This invention has for its object to furnish a shoulder-brace with suspender combination,

so constructed as to eflect the desired object,

aiding nature and restoring symmetrical form.

The invention will first be described in connection with the drawing, and then pointed out in the claims.

B is the body of the shoulderbrace, which parts, connected to each other at their inner lower corners by a buckle or other adjustable means. The pieces B are inclined on the inside, so as to bring the ends a a. in line with the shoulder-blades, over which the draws A are made to pass. The outer sides of the pieces B are concaved to fit close around the arm at junction with shoulders, and upon their upper ends are formed tabs 0, to buckle into buckles attached to the ends of the short straps E, which are attached to the lower outer corners of the pieces B. The straps E pass beneath the arms.

The width of the bar across the back is variable, according to the size and form of persons.

The braces may be made of woven fabric,

and, for cases of deformity, of steel or other suitable substance, and of the same materials combined, and is non-yielding, unless otherwise required.

To the inner forward part of the pieces B are attached straps A, to be buckled to the forward part of the waistband. To the inner lower part of the pieces B are attached straps D, to be buckled upon the rear part of the waistband. The addition of the straps A D adapts the shoulder-braces to be used as suspenders.

The ears 0 O of the flanges, which are buckled in front of the shoulder-points, are about five inches long, (medium size,) and the mode of putting the brace on is, first, adjust bar across the back about one or two inches less than measure at first second, buckle the strap on one side, say left, near outer end of the ear 0; third, slip left arm through loop; fourth, bring the brace across the back, and buckle strap under right arm to near the outer end of ear 0 on right flange; fifth, button suspenders at the back sixth, the wearer, with both hands at the same time, takes hold of the outer ends of the ears 0 O, and simultaneously draws upward, tightening the tension, which joint movement raises the shoulder-points and holds them there, and alsoforces them directly backward and holds them in position. The action of the brace being unyielding, the frame of the wearer has to yield to the tension of the brace. Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. A shoulder-brace consisting of the two sections B B 'adjustably connected, provided withthe tabs 0, and having the buckle-straps E, all constructed and arranged as shown and described.

2. The combination, with a shoulder-brace, of front straps A and rear straps D, all constructed and arranged as and for the purpose specified.

NOAH VAN ALLEN. Witnesses:

W. J. DAVIS,

F. D. BROWN. 

